"Enormous restaurant and event space City Hall opens tomorrow with simple American dishes and an abundance of drinks named with civic puns. Owners hope the 18,000-square-foot space will cultivate a comfortable neighborhood feel with occasional DJ appearances and live music at 838 W. Kinzie Street, according to a news release. Culinary director Michael Taus designed a menu of comfort foods that draws on memories of his mother and grandmother’s classic dishes. These include a grilled cheese with poblano jam, applewood-smoked bacon, havarti, and white cheddar, and chili-garlic chicken wings served with yogurt mint sauce, buffalo-style, or with blue cheese dressing. Owners divided the huge space with 40-foot ceilings into a few discrete sections that include a 5,000 square-foot bar and restaurant with leather chairs and custom chandeliers. It connects to an 8,000 square-foot patio. A second floor lets customers gaze down into the 10,000 square-foot event space, which features a 40-foot marble bar and art deco touches." - Naomi Waxman
